Shooting Erupts at LAX Airport; TSA Officer Killed

A Transportation Security Agency agent was shot and killed when a single suspect opened fire at the Los Angeles International Airport, firing as many as 20 rounds with a high powered assault weapon.

The suspected shooter identified as Paul Anthony Ciancia, 23, formerly of Pennsville, N.J., walked into the airport at approximately 9:20am (PST) carrying a large duffle bag and began shooting his way past security checkpoints within the terminal making his way toward the flight departure waiting area.

At this point Ciancia exchanged gun fire with both TSA agents and LAX police. Ciancia was critically wounded and taken to UCLA Medical Center.

One TSA agent was killed and two others injured. As many as seven others may have sustained a range of injuries from life threatening to minor.

From all accounts Ciancia had two weapons later identified as an AR-15 style assault weapon and an automatic handgun. He allegedly was able to fire up to twenty rounds within the airport terminal before being subdued.

Within minutes a major mobilization of all law enforcement assets including Los Angeles Police Department, Customs, LAFD, FBI, LAX Police, SWAT, and every federal, local and state agency has been deployed to the scene.

Los Angeles International Airport, the sixth highest trafficked in the world and the third in the nation, on the orders of the FAA, Federal Aviation Administration, issued a Traffic Management "Ground Stop" for the airport denoting total closure.

The air transportation lock-down, throughout the day, was briefly lifted with only flights delayed on the tarmac or unable to divert to other airports arriving and departing. No flights boarded out of LAX for eight hours.

By 5:00pm (PST), 8:00pm (EST) LAX had reopened allowing passengers who waited, outside, for the majority of the day, back inside the facility.

In addition to the air transportation shut down no ground transportation was available into or out of the airport.

Stranded passengers, unsure of their options, were left with only one, to walk to any destination points shuttle buses usually serviced including rental car agencies, hotels and cab service all located within a two mile radius of the 640 acre complex.

As in any emergency situation stranded passengers are asked to contact their carrier for further updates.

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